Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much. This is an important aspect of the comprehensive strategic partnership and clearly of no relevance for those opposite because they have no plan for Central Queensland, North Queensland or any other part of Queensland.

Up to $2.25 billion is to be spent over the next decade in the development of the training areas, and an estimated $50 million is to be spent annually for the 25 years of the agreement, which also specifies that priority will be given to local businesses in the Rockhampton and Townsville areas. That will be in addition to the significant investment which is currently made—every exercise, every training period—by the ADF and the Singapore armed forces. In fact I have heard countless anecdotes from local businesses about the value of those contributions.

The military training agreement will drive jobs and investment through the construction of infrastructure, through the purchase of local supplies, through equipment hire and the maintenance of vehicles and equipment. We also expect the significant increase in Singaporean troops to drive a boost in the local tourism sector— (Time expired)